Vrojijkheid Nature Reserve
The Vrojijkheid Nature Reserve is a rocky landscape in the Breede River Valley close to McGregor. The area is strikingly beautiful, with patches of succulents, dwarf trees and shrubs and springtime splashes of bright orange botterblom daisies. The reserve has a Robertson Karoo vegetation and sprinkles of mountain renosterveld and sweet-thorn trees.
The reserve has plenty of activities on offer, including hiking and walking trails, mountain biking, 4x4 routes and bird watching. They have seven unique hiking/walking trails that guests can access with a permit, which offers serene views of the landscape and a tranquil atmosphere. The Rooikat trail is a 19 km route that winds around the Elandsberg Mountains with stunning views of the Langeberg and Riviersonderend Mountains. The Heron trail is an easy 3 km walk that takes you to two shimmering dams. It is wheelchair-friendly and offers great birding opportunities, as well as information boards about the surrounding Karoo vegetation.
The Braille trail is specifically designed for visually-impaired walkers who want to experience the beautiful outdoors. There are information boards along the way written in braille. The Boesmanskloof day trail is a 14 km route that winds through the Riviersonderend Mountains, passing through the beautiful Riviersonderend Conservation Area.
Wine Tasting
The McGregor Valley is defined by its natural beauty and quality wines. The local climate and soil is a perfect combination for wine cultivation.
Tanagra Private Wine Cellar is situated in the McGregor valley and produces small amounts of high quality, handcrafted and unique red wines. The 12 ha of wines cultivated includes noble red wine varieties (Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Pinotage) as well as white Colombar. Wine tastings are great paired with lunch under the magnificent old wild fig tree on request.
Lord’s Winery in the McGregor valley was originally a family-owned fruit farm, but is now owned by a group of talented wine-makers. Lord’s produces Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Shiraz, Pinot Noir Rosé and a Méthode Cap Classique. The winery has an abundance of birdlife, so you can sit back and relax while wine tasting in beautiful surrounds.
McGregor Winery is a scenic farm established in 1948. It has a local charm and services a smaller community rather than entering the retail industry. They produce a number of grape varieties to suit different wines, such as reds, whites and dessert wines.
Whipstock Farm
Of the many farms in South Africa where you can take your children, one in the McGregor valley in the Little Karoo is a must. It’s tucked high up behind the Riviersonderend Mountains. There are rabbits, turkeys, chickens, goats, cows, sheep and pigs … you could make up your own song about Old Whipstock Farm. You can go for walks and mountain bike rides (best is up the old wagon road to Die Galg and back) and there's a farm dam for swimming and a games room and pub. The children love helping to collect the chickens' eggs in the morning, allowing parents to sleep in.